Help Support Enactment of Zika Virus Funding and Request Direct Funding to Tribes

Dear Tribal Leaders, Tribal members and Advocates:

The incidence of the Zika virus reaching high levels in certain areas close to the United States. The Zika virus is spread by the Aedes mosquito and has been found recently in areas of Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. Zika in pregnant women is thought to be associated with microcephaly in infants which is a sign that the baby is born with a smaller brain which can result in medical programs and impaired development. CDC estimates that Zika inflected mosquitos could reach the lower part of the United States in 2016, and there are efforts underway to ensure that communities in the United States can accurately respond to the disease.

Congress is currently considering a $1.8 billion supplemental funding request from the President on the mitigation of the Zika virus in the United States and internationally. Last week, the Administration said that they would re-allocate $589 million in other unspent funds to start treating this disease. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that this will not be enough. It is critical that Congress enact this $1.8 billion supplemental funding request and that a portion appropriated dollars flow directly to Indian Country, instead of just to state health departments which may or may not pass the funding down to Tribal communities.

Therefore, NIHB requests that Tribes, Tribal organizations and other advocates call or write to their Members of Congress to ask that Congress pass this supplemental funding for the Zika virus and that any appropriated dollars contain a portion to be given directly to Tribes.